Prompt Engineer Jobs
Your Path to AI Without Code

Prompt engineering is a real career path with salaries from $70K-$150K+.
But the role is evolving fast. Here's how to position yourself.

AI Native Engineer Community Access

The Role Is Real.
But It's Not What You Think.

You're unsure if prompt engineering is a legitimate career or just a temporary hype cycle that will disappear.

The role is evolving so fast that job descriptions keep changing. What skills matter in 2026?

Many 'prompt engineer' jobs actually want LLM engineers or require coding skills you don't have yet.

Position Yourself for the Real Opportunities.

The AI Career Accelerator

Prompt engineering is legitimate but misunderstood. The pure 'prompt-only' roles are shrinking while hybrid positions (prompt + evaluation, prompt + product, prompt + light coding) are growing. Learn what companies actually need and how to build a portfolio that gets you hired.

1

Understand the Market

Which prompt roles exist and what they pay

2

Build Demonstrable Skills

Portfolio projects that prove expertise

3

Strategic Positioning

Target roles that match your strengths

Meet Your Mentor

Zen van Riel

When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.

My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.

I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.

I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.

Now I teach over 22,000 engineers on YouTube. Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.

Career progression from Intern to Senior Engineer

Real Results

Vittor

Vittor

AI Engineer

Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months

"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.

I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."

What You Will Get

Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy

A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.

Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls

Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.

Portfolio-Ready AI Projects

Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.

Interview Prep & Mock Interviews

Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.

Resume & LinkedIn Optimization

Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.

Community Career Support

Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.

Limited Availability

Professional Prompt Engineers Are Rarer Than You Think

Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.

I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.

$120K+
Average AI Engineer Salary
Source: levels.fyi
90 Days
To Guaranteed Interviews
20%+
Higher Pay Than Traditional Devs

Frequently Asked Questions

Are prompt engineer jobs real or just hype?

Prompt engineering is real but evolving. In 2024-2025, many dedicated prompt roles were created. By 2026, the market has matured. Companies now understand that prompt skills are essential but often combined with other capabilities. You'll find: 1) Pure prompt roles at AI labs and content companies, 2) Prompt + evaluation roles for AI safety teams, 3) Prompt + product roles for AI feature development, 4) Prompt + technical writing for documentation. The role is legitimate but increasingly specialized.

What do prompt engineers earn in 2026?

Salaries vary significantly by company type and technical depth. Entry-level pure prompt roles: $70K-$90K. Mid-level with evaluation skills: $90K-$120K. Senior or specialized (AI safety, red teaming): $120K-$150K+. Prompt engineers at AI labs (Anthropic, OpenAI) can earn $150K-$200K+ due to their critical role in model development. The highest salaries go to those who combine prompt expertise with coding, product skills, or domain expertise.

What skills do prompt engineer jobs require?

Core skills: systematic prompt optimization, evaluation framework design, prompt versioning and documentation, A/B testing prompts, understanding model capabilities and limitations. Increasingly valuable: Python basics for automation, API integration, building evaluation pipelines, working with structured outputs (JSON mode), and prompt injection awareness. Domain expertise (legal, medical, finance) commands premium pay because you can create specialized prompts that generalists can't.

Which companies hire prompt engineers in 2026?

AI Labs: Anthropic, OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Cohere hire prompt engineers for model evaluation and red teaming. Tech Giants: Microsoft, Amazon, Meta have prompt roles for AI product features. Startups: AI-native companies like Jasper, Copy.ai, and Runway hire for content and product. Enterprises: Large companies building internal AI tools need prompt experts. Consulting: Firms like McKinsey and Accenture hire for AI implementation projects. AI Safety: Organizations focused on AI alignment hire for red teaming and evaluation.

What's the difference between prompt engineer and LLM engineer?

Prompt engineers focus on crafting effective prompts, evaluation, and optimization without necessarily writing code. LLM engineers build applications using LLM APIs, including RAG systems, agents, and production deployments, and require strong coding skills. Many job postings confuse the terms. If a 'prompt engineer' job asks for Python, RAG, or LangChain, it's actually an LLM engineer role. Pure prompt roles focus on prompt design, evaluation frameworks, documentation, and safety testing.

Do I need coding skills for prompt engineer jobs?

It depends on the role. Pure prompt engineering positions (content teams, red teaming, evaluation) may not require coding. However, the highest-paying roles increasingly want Python basics for automation, API usage, and building evaluation scripts. If you have no coding background, focus on non-technical prompt roles while learning Python fundamentals to expand your options.

How much time do I need to commit?

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

How is this different from online courses?

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

Can I do this while working full-time?

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Ready to Land Your AI Role?

Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.

30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available